Israel-Lebanon latest: Israeli jets strike Beirut targeting Hezbollah commander as 558 killed in two days
Israel says it’s ‘not looking for wars’ but army is ‘in full readiness’ to push Hezbollah back from border
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Israel has carried out a strike targeting a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, according to Reuters news agency.
It is unclear whether the strike - carried out in a typically-busy southern area of the capital - killed its intended target.
Security sources in Lebanon told Reuters that Israel had targeted the commander, which Israeli forces confirmed.
It is the second consecutive day that Israel has struck the Hezbollah-controlled area of the capital.
It comes after Lebanese authorities said the death toll has reached 558 including 50 children since Israel launched fresh strikes on Monday, the country’s health minister said.
A fresh wave of strikes began on Tuesday, after Monday saw the deadliest day of strikes in Lebanon in nearly two decades of the conflict.
After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, also backed by Iran.
It comes as thousands were pictured fleeing southern Lebanon in loaded cars, vans and trucks. Highways north were gridlocked.
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More images of damage following Beirut strike
Israeli spokesperson David Mencer holds press conference
As Israel strikes Beirut for the second time in two days, Israeli spokesperson David Mencer is holding a press conference.
"Lebanon should take this warning extremely seriously," he tells reporters.
"The prime minister has also made clear that once our operation is over, they will be able to return safely to their homes."
Pictured: Israel strikes Beirut
Israel conducts strike on Beirut
The Israeli military says it has carried out a “targeted” strike on Beirut.
Security sources in Lebanon said Israel targeted a Hezbollah commander in the capital’s southern suburbs, Reuters news agency reported.
It is the second consecutive day that Israel has struck the Hezbollah-controlled area of the capital.
Sources have not confirmed who was the target of the strike, and that the fate of the target is not known.
The strike hit a building in the typically busy Ghobeiry neighbourhood.
Defence Secretary leaves party conference for emergency meeting on Middle East
Defence Secretary John Healey has left the Labour Party conference early to chair an emergency Cobra meeting, Sky News reports.
The meeting is believed to be concerning escalating tensions in the Middle East, as Israel kills hundreds with a fresh wave of strikes in Lebanon since yesterday.
Israel aiming to deter Iran, Israeli media reports
A source told Israeli outlet Haaretz that part of the aim of Israel’s airstrike was to signal to the “Iranian axis that Israel is unafraid to act decisively to prevent further escalation”.
They added: “Israel has additional potential targets in Lebanon and will not hesitate to strike if Hezbollah does not grasp the message.”
After arriving at the UN summit in New York, Iranian president said: "We do not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East as its consequences would be irreversible.”
"It’s Israel that wants to drag everyone into war and destabilise the region… They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go."
Foreign Secretary calls for ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
The Government has urged a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as the death toll from Israeli strikes targeting the terrorist group Hezbollah rose to nearly 500 people.
Thousands of people have been fleeing southern Lebanon since the attacks from Israel began on Monday, according to Associated Press.
Full report by Harry Taylor:
Foreign Secretary calls for ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as nearly 500 dead
Lebanese health ministry says death toll stands at 492 people as Labour minister calls for everybody in the Middle East to be able to live in peace.
Pictured: Scenes on the ground in Lebanon
Around 100 projectiles fired by Hezbollah, Israeli military says
Around 100 projectiles, including rockets, were launched towards Israel by Hezbollah since midnight, the Israeli military says.
Lower Galilee and HaAmakim appear to be the targets of most of the rockets, a spokesperson told CNN.
Upper Galilee and Haifa were both also targeted, with buildings damaged and fires started in the north.
Most of the projectiles fired at Israel were intercepted by the Israeli military, it claims.
It comes as Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, having ramped up strikes once again in the last couple of hours.
Breaking: Number killed in Lebanon rises to 558 including 50 children
The number killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week has risen to 558 including 50 children, the Lebanese health minister said.
Firass Abiad added that 94 women were included in the dead, and 1,835 have been injured.
The death count was last counted at 492 and 1,645 wounded yesterday.
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